Improvement in velocipede



,drifted gli-:rites @mi @life JOHN REINHAi-w, or NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNORIOV ANDREW CHRISTIAN, OF SAME PLACE.

Leners Parent No. 95,515, daad 00ctw 5,1869.

IMPROVEMENT INv-VIIIl'aQCllPIlDIl.

Thel Schedule referred to in these Lettori Patent and making-part of the sama.

To all whom it may concern:

specification.

'lhis invention relates particularly to an improved propelling-mechanism for a three or four-wheeled velocipede; and

`It consists in the combinationy with the reach or frame, and -a two-cranked driving-axle, of two levers,A rof peculiar shape, and two hangers, the connection and arrangement of said parts being such that nei-- .ther crank can get upon a dead-point, and the footlevers can be operated by a person sitting upon an ordinary seat, and not astride of a reach or saddle,

whereby the velocipede is specially adapted for the use of females. Y i

` In the accompanying drawing- Figure l is a perspective view of a velocipede embodying my present improvements.

Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal' section thereof, taken on the plane ofthe line x z, fig. 3.

Figure 3 is an vinverted plan view.

l have illustrated atbree-wheeled veloeipede, though in y improved driving-mechanism is applicable to a fourwheeled velocipede.

' A designates the frame, or the part answering to the reach in the generality of velocipedes. This frame I have shown as of a V- shape, the steering-wheel B being arranged at one end, the apex and the drivingwheels C C, at the other or opposite end, the latter being mounted at respective ends of an axle, D.

The steering-wheel B is arranged to rovolve in a swivel-bearing, a, which extends up above the frame, and has applied to its upper lend a double lever, b,- to whose ends are secured, respectively, rods c, or their equivalents, which are attached to the lower ends, respectively, of hand-levers E E, the said handlevers being accessible to the occupant of a seat, G, which latter is mounted on said frame A.

I have shown a secondary seat, G', arranged at the rear of the seat G,'to 'accommodate a child or another person.

I preferably mount one o fA the driving-wheels C lrioselyupon the axle I), to facilitate the turning of curves, but both may be rigidly secured, and serve as driving-wheels, in fact, if desired.

H Hare the foot-levers, connected to the frame. in such manner `as to have a horizontal movement.

I preferably connect the said levers at their rear ends, to vibrating hangers I I, pendent from said frame A; and the said levers H H', at a point interlnediate, say midway of their length, are connected to the cranks d d, on the axle D.

The said levers project in front of the riders seat,

and their forward ends are curved upward, as Ashown at h h, and are provided with afoot-pin, e, or an equivalent, on which to rest the instep ofthe boot, forprol peiling the vehicle, as will be clearly understood by reference to the drawing.

By the above construction and arrangement of the i lex-ers H H', there is not the least possibility of the axle ceasing to revolve by reason of either of -its cranks vd d getting upon a dead-point.

To explain,y each lever H or H', by reason of its construction and arrangement, is effected by direct force from the foot in two directions, namely, a forward thrust, similar to throwing the leg forward in walk ing, and a downward pressure, similarto the bringing ofthe foot down upon the ground in walking.

` Now, suppose the cranksfbe in the position shown in lig. 2, that is, when both cranks of the levers H H' are upon a dead-point, and could not be relieved by a downward or vertical force from the foot; in such case a slight forward `throw of the foot, as in walking,

applied to the lever H', causes the said lever to move in a horizontal direction; this at once throws the crank off of its dead-pointy? and then a downward pressure of thefoot throws the axle round, till the other crank is in a position to be operated upon by the lever H in the same manner. Hence, it is evident that it isnot possibie for the axle to cease revolving by reason ot either or both of its cranks getting upon a deadpoint.'77 l And, moreover, inasmuch as the motions of the feet necessary to propel the vehicle are precisely the same as those required for walking, the vehicle can be propelled with ease and grace, and a velocipede so constructed is especially adapted for a ladys use, her dress can fall over the .ends of the levers if she wishes, and hence cover her feet, and the very samemotions of legs and feet required in promenading or Walking I will cause the velocipede to progress slowly or rapidly, in proportion to the rapidity the legs are moved when walking or running. .i

' What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination, with the cranked axle of a velocipede, of the levers H H', constructed, arranged, and operating substantially as herein' specified.

-2. The combination, to producean improved' velocipede, of the frame A, seat G, steering-mechanism I) a b c E, and actuating-mechanism C O D I H H',

constructed, arranged, and operating substantially as herein speciiied.

i JOHN REINHART.

Witnesses:

' T. B. BEECHEB,

M. M. LIviNGsToN. 

